Google AdWords Adds More Location Targeting Controls

Google announced a new AdWords feature that many advertisers should be very happy about. The ability to control if your ads show or not show based on the searcher's location or the searcher's location intent, or both.

How does it work?

Under your campaign settings, under the standard location options, click on the "advanced location options." Then you will have a "Targeting method" and "Exclusion method." You can then define there how you want to target by location.

Target options include:

Target using either physical location or search intent: Google will show your ads to users located in your targeted area and to users who include terms specific to your targeted area within their search. Learn more

Target using physical location: Google will show your ads only to users physically located in your target area. When choosing this option, avoid using location terms outside your target area in your keywords, as they might conflict with your campaign target settings and prevent your ads from appearing. Learn more

Target using search intent: Google will show your ads only to users who include a location-specific term in their query that corresponds with your targeted location. We ignore the user’s physical location. Learn more

Exclusion options include:

Exclude by physical location only: Google won't show your ads to users physically located in locations you have excluded in your location settings. Users outside these areas can still see your ads. Learn more

Exclude by physical location and search intent: Google won't show your ads to users who are physically located in your excluded location or to those who use your excluded location in their search query. Learn more